Title:

Marpessa (Monogram)

Author:

Stephen Phillips, Illustrated by Philip Connard

Publisher:

John Lane

Date:

1901

Description:

A poem

Title:

Ruminations in Rhyme (Monogram)

Author:

Henry King

Publisher:

Buvington Press

Date:

1907

Description:

Collection of poems by Henry King

Title:

Tantalus (Monogram)

Author:

Dorothy Easton

Publisher:

Heinemann

Date:

1923

Description:

A novel

Title:

A Gateway to Poetry (Monogram)

Author:

Compiled by Elizabeth Sturch

Publisher:

Gramol Publications Ltd.

Date:

1946

Description:

Collection of poems for boys and girls.

Title:

The Demon Lover and Other Stories (Monogram)

Author:

Elizabeth Bowen

Publisher:

Jonathan Cape

Date:

1946

Description:

A collection of short stories

Title:

The Judgement of Peers (Monogram)

Author:

Compiled by W. G. Bebbington

Publisher:

Staples Press

Date:

1949

Description:

Poem, “At the Grave of Henry Vaughan.”

Title:

The Harrap Book of Modern Verse (Monogram)

Author:

Edited by Maurice Wollman and Kathleen Parker

Publisher:

George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd.

Date:

1958

Description:

Four poems

Title:

Christmas and Other Poems (Monogram)

Author:

Katharine Kendall

Publisher:

Privately Published

Date:

c1961

Description:

Eleven poems

Spindrift - Inscribed to Siegfried Sassoon by Vivian de Sola Pinto

Spindrift - By Vivian de Sola Pinto, published in 1918 by Chapman and Hall Ltd. This book was presented to Sassoon by Vivian de Sola Pinto who was his second in command while they served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in France during the First World War. He was know as ‘Velmore’ in the Sherston Memoirs.

The book is inscribed: “To Siegfried Sassoon from Vivian de Sola Pinto S. Hilaire July 1918.” The village of St. Hilaire was part of the front line during 1918. There is no Monogram.

The Autobiography of Margot Asquith Volumes I and II - From the Library of Siegfried Sassoon (and Nellie Burton)

The Autobiography of Margot Asquith Volumes I and II - Published in 1920 by Thornton Butterworth.

These books belonged to Nellie Burton, a good friend of Sassoon, and have her ownership stamp on the inside front cover (top right). They later went into Sassoon’s library as indicated by the provenance label (bottom right).

H. W. Massingham’s book from the library of Siegfried Sassoon plus letter to Sassoon

H.W. Massingham was the editor of the Nation, a leading British radical weekly newspaper, between 1907 and 1923. Massingham published a number of Sassoon’s poems in the paper during these years. Equally as important, he was highly enough thought of by Sassoon to be asked his advice before Sassoon went ahead with his protest and was one of the people to whom Sassoon sent a copy of his original statement at the time.

This Book, H.W.M. A Selection From the Writings of H. W. Massingham, which belonged to Sassoon, was published in 1925 by Jonathan Cape and edited by Massingham’s son, H. J. Massingham, (H.W.M. died in 1924). The letter, dated 16th February 1922, was sent to Sassoon by H.W. Massingham commenting on a poem Sassoon had submitted for publication ‘Reynardism Revisited,’ and also stating, “I’ll take all you care to write.” (The book carries the Sassoon ownership monogram.)

The book on the left, ‘Cephalus and Procris - an episode between two wars’ by Eric George, once belonged to Siegfried Sassoon. The book carries the Sassoon monogram sticker inside the front cover as provenance that it was part of the great Sotheby’s sale of 1991 when many books from Sassoon’s library were auctioned off.

The book, a First Edition, was published by Harvill Press of London in 1954 and the publishers included a Compliments Slip (shown left), which reads:

“With the compliments of the Author and Publishers - With Compliments - (Publication date - 27th September, 1954) - The Harvill Press Ltd, publishers, 23 Lower Belgrave Street, London S.W.1...”

We will never know if Sassoon actually read this book, which is a 106 page poem based on a Greek myth. The pages are in mint condition and do not appear to be thumbed in any way which probably tells its own story!

Cephalus and Procris by Eric George

The book on the left, Beyond The Sunrise by James Bramwell, once belonged to Siegfried Sassoon. The book carries the Sassoon monogram sticker inside the front cover as provenance that it was part of the great Sotheby’s sale of 1991 when many books from Sassoon’s library were auctioned off.

The book, a First Edition, was published by William Heinemann Ltd in 1934 and the publishers included a Compliments Slip (shown left), which reads:

“Messrs. William Heinemann have the pleasure of sending this copy of - Beyond The Sunrise 3/6d net, by James Bramwell, Publication date June 11th - for the favour of a review.”

I do not know whether Sassoon did review this book or not, which is a collection of twenty-nine poems. The cover states they are poems written objectively rather than subjectively which was the fashion of the day.

Beyond The Sunrise by James Bramwell

Sassoon’s own copy of Bysshe’s ‘The Art of English Poetry’

BYSSHE, Edward - The Art of English Poetry: Containing I. Rules for Making Verses, II. A Dictionary of Rhymes, III. A Collection of the Most Natural, Agreeable and Sublime Thoughts, Viz. Allusions, Similes, Descriptions and Characters, of Persons and Things.... London. Printed for Sam. Buckley: And Sold By Dan. Midwinter., 1705. Second Edition.

8vo.[4], 36pp, [2], viii, 38pp, [8], 436pp. Each of the three parts with separate title pages. Recased in recent antique style full panelled calf, contrasting red title label, gilt. With original calf to lower board relaid. New endpapers. A very good copy. Various English and Latin manuscript notations to fly-leaves, half-title and title, occasional ownership inscriptions throughout of a William Smith, Birmingham. First published 1702, the third part of this work was criticized for its reduction of poetry to mechanical quotations based on themes. The rhyming dictionary, however, was the first serious attempt at such a compilation by any English author. Hogarth satirizes its use in his ‘Distrest Poet,’ 1736, but in reality copies were found in the libraries of Johnson, Goldsmith, Blake, and evidently continued to be consulted by later poets.

The above copy of Bysshe’s Art of Poetry was owned by Siegfried Sassoon, and was first sold along with many more of his books, letters and manuscripts by Sotheby’s on 18th July, 1991. The catalogue states: “To record the provenance, we have placed a small label with Sassoon’s monogram in each of the books.” The book carries this label (right), which some people think is Sassoon’s own bookplate. The labels are always the same size and made from a textured paper so they cannot be duplicated.

The Sermons of Mr. Yorick Vol. IV - from the Library of Siegfried Sassoon

Another book from Siegfried Sassoon’s own library: Sterne’s Sermons 1^st edition Volume 4 in original binding: Sterne, Laurence; The Sermons of Mr. Yorick. Vol. IV. London; T Becket and P A De Hondt, 1766. First edition. Contemporary speckled full calf in fine condition, spine with 4 raised bands and original gilt red morocco title label. Gilt double rules to board edges, spine bands and head and foot of spine. With Sotheby’s, Sassoon monogram label as provenance.

Ballades and Other Verse - from the Library of Siegfried Sassoon

Ballades and Other Verse by H.S. Mackintosh. Published in 1953 by Rupert Hart-Davis. This book is from the library of Siegfried Sassoon and carries the auction dispersal label in the bottom left corner as provenance (see right).

Also, cut out by Sassoon and slipped into the book, is a newspaper clipping of the poem “How to get on in Society” by John Betjeman.

Awaitment - from the Library of Siegfried Sassoon

Awaitment - This poem was added as a separate loose leaf on handmade paper in a card cover, to the special limited edition of The Path to Peace, (Keynes A62b), published in 1960, by the Stanbrook Abbey Press. This copy belonged to Siegfried Sassoon and carries the provenance monogram.

All Our Yesterdays - from the Library of Siegfried Sassoon with an inscription by Edmund Blunden

All Our Yesterdays - By H.M. Tomlinson, published in 1930 by William Heinemann Limited. Tomlinsion was a good friend of both Siegfried Sassoon and another of the most important First World War poets, Edmund Blunden. This copy once belonged to Sassoon and is inscribed to him by Blunden. Also with the book are two press cuttings from Durrant’s, Sassoon’s press cutting service, one is an article about war books by Tomlinson himself from the St. Martin’s Review, dated November 1920, and the other is an article about war memoirs, by William Jeffrey, from the Glasgow Herald, dated 1st November, 1930. A third insert is a page from the Nation & Athenaeum, containing a story about cricket at Lord’s, dated 5th July, 1930. The book carries the Sotheby’s auction monogram (bottom left, middle picture) showing that it once formed part of Siegfried Sassoon’s own library.

Waiting For Daylight - from the Library of Siegfried Sassoon and signed by Sassoon

Waiting For Daylight - By H.M. Tomlinson, published in 1922 by Cassell and Company Limited. This copy once belonged to Siegfried Sassoon who wrote his name on the inside front cover and dated it 25.4.22 (see above right). The book carries the auction dispersal monogram as provenance, and with it are two press cuttings, one from a press cutting service dated 12th January, 1930, and is an article from the New York Times about Tomlinson and his lack of confidence in the ongoing disarmament talks. The other is a cutting from an unknown publication of an article by Tomlinson on the subject of broadcasting.

Her Privates We - From the Library of Siegfried Sassoon

Her Privates We - By Private 19022, published in 1930, by Peter Davies (this copy fifth impression, February 1930). This book once belonged to Siegfried Sassoon and contains two press cuttings in it from his press cutting services. The first is from Durrance Press Cuttings, and is an article from the Nation and the Athenaeum, dated 15th February, 1930. It is a letter to the editor from Lyn Irvine, replying to criticism of a review she had written of this book. The second cutting is from the International Press Cutting Bureau, and is an article taken from the Cape Argus (Cape Town), dated 22nd March, 1930. The article speculates on the identity of the author of ‘Her Privates We,’ later to be revealed as Frederick Manning. The writer does name Manning as a candidate, but also suggests Siegfried Sassoon, stating it is “just the sort of book he would write.”

ILLUSION: 1915 (Siegfried Sassoon’s own copy)

ILLUSION: 1915 - (Above and below) By H.M. Tomlinson, published in 1928 by Harper Brothers. Tomlinson had been a war correspondent and Siegfried Sassoon met him while working as a book reviewer at the Daily Herald. They soon became good friends, lasting until Tomlinson’s death in 1958. Tomlinson had this book published for distribution amongst his friends at Christmas 1928. It is not known how many were published but it can be imagined that it was a very short run. This copy was given to Siegfried Sassoon and carries the Sotheby’s label of provenance. It is inscribed "To Siegfried from F.M. & H.M. Tomlinson Christmas 1928 (with apologies for all military errors)." The type from which it was printed was destroyed.

The Ballad of Beau Brocade and Other Poems of the XVIIIth Century (Siegfried Sassoon’s own copy)

The Ballad of Beau Brocade and Other Poems of the XVIIIth Century ... With Fifty Illustrations by Hugh Thomson. Published in London by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., 1892. Bound in contemporary three quarter grey crushed levant with marbled boards and endsheets. Frontis, illustrations and plates. First printing of this edition (small paper issue). A fine association copy, being a gift from the young Siegfried Sassoon, and his younger brother, Hamo, to their mother, inscribed on the recto of the ad leaf: "For Mamsy from Siegfried. and Hamo." While the inscription is undated, it is in Sassoon's relatively early hand, most likely not much later than later than 1900. Hamo Sassoon was born in 1887 and was killed during the Gallipoli Campaign, on the 1st November 1915. With the Sotheby’s label for the posthumous dispersal of Sassoon's library on the front pastedown.

Inscription: This inscription is interesting in more than one way. There appears to be a full stop after “Siegfried,” and the following two words “and Hamo” appear to be in a different hand with a lighter touch with the pen. Is it possible that Siegfried wrote his inscription and, whether asked by Siegfried or not, Hamo then added his name also? It is fascinating to think that both brothers wrote the inscription.  

MANSOUL (Or, The Riddle of the World) (Siegfried Sassoon’s own copy)

MANSOUL (Or, The Riddle of the World), by Charles M. Doughty. Published in 1920 by Selwyn & Blount.

As a young boy Sassoon had read Doughty’s books The Dawn of Britain and Arabia Deserta, and in 1909 had sent him a copy of one of his specially bound volumes of Sonnets and Verses.

The book also carries the Sotheby’s monogram label as proof that it came from Siegfried Sassoon’s own library.

Lalla Rookh (Siegfried Sassoon’s own copy)

Lalla Rookh, An Oriental Romance, by Thomas Moore. Published in 1822 by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown.

This book was once owned by Siegfried Sassoon. He wrote his monogram on the front endpaper and dated it 1903, he would have been 17 years old at that time. Sassoon began collecting books from the age of 14.

The book also carries the Sotheby’s monogram label as proof that it came from Siegfried Sassoon’s own library.

Swinburne’s Collected Poetical Works - (From Siegfried Sassoon’s own library)

Swinburne’s Collected Poetical Works (Two Volumes), published in 1924 by William Heinemann Ltd. After acquiring these two volumes I was delighted to discover that Sassoon had written two lines from Swinburne’s poem ‘Cor Cordium’ on the title page of Volume I (centre). The lines are ‘O wonderful and perfect heart, for whom the lyrist liberty made life a lyre.’ These books were once owned by Siegfried Sassoon and formed part of his library which was auctioned off after his death. The books carry the monogram (right), fixed to the inside front covers by Sotheby’s, to prove their provenance.

Such Bounty - Published in Landour, India in 1958, by Myra Scovel. “Verses written during almost thirty years on the Mission Field in China under Chinese, Japanese and Communist rule, in America on furloughs and in India.” This paperback book, consisting of 48 poems over 62 pages was given to Siegfried Sassoon by the author who wrote an inscription on the first page (above right): “To Siegfried Sassoon, a poor way to show gratitude for all his poems have meant to me, but for Emily’s sake, - - Myra Scovel.” The book carries the Sassoon monogram as provenance.

Frederick Gilman Scovel entered Hamilton College in 1921. He went on to take his medical degree at Cornell, where he met a nurse named Myra Scott. They married after his graduation in 1929 and the following year they and their newborn son sailed for China as employees of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. After language training in Peking, the Scovels were assigned to a hospital in Shantung Province. In 1943 the entire family, which had grown to include four more children, was interned by the Japanese. After six months' detention the Japanese deported them to the United States; Myra Scovel gave birth to a sixth child within hours after their ship docked in New York Harbor. In 1946 the Scovels returned to China, this time to Anhwei Province. They transferred to the Hackett Medical Center in Canton in 1948, remaining there until 1951 when they were forced out by the Chinese Communists. In 1953 they began a six-year term of service to the India Mission, working as professor and librarian at the Christian Medical College in Ludhiana. In 1959 they returned to the United States for the last time. Dr. Scovel began a private practice in Stony Point, NY, and Myra Scovel wrote several books, some based on her family's China and India experiences and some written for children.

The King - Siegfried Sassoon’s Own Copy

The King: A Tragedy in a Continuous Series of Scenes, by Stephen Phillips, published in 1912 by Stephen Swift and Co. Ltd. The book carries the Sotheby’s 1991 auction monogram (below) confirming provenance.

The Bard of Dimbovitza - Siegfried Sassoon’s Own Copy

The Bard of Dimbovitza: Romanian Folk-Songs Collected From The Peasants - by Helene Vacaresco, Carmen Sylva and Alma Strettell. Published in 1914 by Harper & Brothers. This book came from Siegfried Sassoon’s own library and was presented to him by Ottoline Morrell. The book is inscribed and dated in ink on the front endpaper: ‘SS from OM 1916.’ Ottoline Morrell was living at her country home, Garsington Manor, near Oxford at this time, and as can be seen from the bookseller’s label, the book was bought in Oxford. The picture below this shows the provenance monogram label fixed to all Sassoon’s books that were sold at auction by Sotheby’s in 1991. Ottoline Morrell was a very good friend to Siegfried Sassoon and had a massive effect on his life after they met, as can be seen in the Ottoline Morrell page.